November 1, 2009 Prayer Guide

 

Dear Praying Friend,

 

 

As evidenced by the governor’s recent dismal poll numbers, Californians of all stripes believe they can no longer trust their head of state. While we may not be able to trust our secular leaders, we have a God whom we can trust, who by his very nature can never change. And Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it where he will.” We may not understand life sometimes – or where God is leading, but we know the One who promises to go with us along the way. 

 

When the world around you seems perplexing or confusing, “taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) The second part of that familiar verse may be less familiar, but it is a promise to claim: “Happy is the man who takes refuge in him!” Other translations render “takes refuge” as “trusts,” “has faith,” or “hopes.” When you are confused by the world around you, remember, “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” (Oswald Chambers) We may not understand where life is going, but we know and love the God who guides us.

 

California Family Council

P.S. CFC’s bimonthly prayer guides can also be found online at www.californiafamily.org.

 

·       that efforts underway to overturn Proposition 8 – both in federal court and on a future California ballot – would not come to fruition. Pray God would give wisdom and discernment to the people of California – and the nation – to recognize the true value of traditional marriage to families and society, and to refuse to accept the lies and myths espoused by supporters of same-gender marriage. Pray that God would expose the deceptions and untruths in a recently unveiled pro-homosexual marriage voter-education campaign.

 

·       for the legal team representing Proposition 8 and the will of the people of California in the federal court challenge due to begin January 11, 2010. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the attorneys and that God would grant them favor and free them from opposition attacks.

 

·       for strong, committed marriages in California – and in our churches. Marriage, a symbolic picture of the unity of Christ and his church, is under attack nationwide. Pray that marriages would be strengthened and that husbands and wives would choose to remain together in covenant with the Lord, to face any difficulties that may come their way. (Eccl. 4:12)

 

·       for citizens in Maine and Washington who will go to the polls this month to decide the future of marriage in their states. In Washington, Referendum 71 challenges a law passed by the Washington Legislature that would give virtually all the benefits of marriage to domestic partners, reserving only the name marriage for opposite-sex husband-wife couples. In Maine, polling is very close in a struggle by citizens to rescue the biblical definition of marriage from the hands of Maine’s Legislature. Pray that the future of marriage in the nation would be protected. 

 

·       and praise God for increasing awareness of the sanctity of preborn infants. A recent poll, “Public Opinion Regarding the Disposition of Frozen Human Embryos,” reported by LifeNews.com, found a majority of Americans preferred placing frozen embryos with infertile couples for adoption to using them for stem-cell research. The same poll found the largest proportion of respondents believe life begins at conception. Pray that Americans would increasingly continue to grasp the inhumanity of embryonic stem-cell research and abortion, and choose to invest themselves in protecting preborn babies.

 

·       for Californians statewide who are involved in protecting life in their communities – those campaigning to maintain values in their schools, neighborhoods, and cities. Pray for protection for those fighting abortion, aiding pregnant teens and unwed mothers, and contending with schools and districts on issues like curriculum and sex education.

 

·       with the advent of Thanksgiving later this month, pray that parents and grandparents would teach their children and grandchildren about the Christian heritage in our nation’s early history – an aspect that is often ignored in the public schools.

 

·       that parents would remain aware of what is happening in their children’s lives and schools – and that they would be empowered to counter teaching and curriculum with which they disagree. 

 

·       as we celebrate our country’s veterans on November 11, thank God for the 2.5 million veterans – and their families – who reside in our state. Pray that their courage and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

 

·       that thousands of California families would investigate adoption during November, a month set aside to raise awareness of adoption of youth from foster care. Pray for those who lovingly and courageously offer a home to a child growing up without the advantages of family and for the young adults who at 18 age-out of the foster-care system – often with little support.

 

·       that God will enlighten legislators and policy makers with workable, honest solutions to California’s growing deficit – not temporary chewing-gum fixes. Through September, the state had collected $1.1 billion less than projected in taxes – and previous internal estimates already had projected a $7.4 billion deficit for 2010-2011. Continue to pray for the families of California who are struggling with loss of income, homes, and jobs. 

 

·       for families being destroyed by the sinful choices of a father or mother (or son or daughter) – choices to pursue adultery, pornography, or deception. Pray for conviction of sin, and healing for the wronged spouse and children left behind.

 

·       that California citizens will increasingly be exposed to a biblical worldview. Pray for the expansion of the message and lessons in the Truth Project, Focus on the Family’s DVD-based curriculum designed to impart a biblical worldview. Pray for the success and outreach of the CFC-hosted leader training events this month – November 14 in Anderson and November 21 in Paso Robles. Pray God would draw key individuals with receptive spirits, who are prepared to learn what God has for them.

 

 

United in passionate, effective prayer for California families

www.californiafamily.org